Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Making the Crossover
DETROIT - Dampened by high gas prices, the auto industry has faced tough times selling large sport utility vehicles lately. But with demand still high from families wanting plenty of space, carmakers may have an antidote: the crossover.

Crude oil prices slip on warm weather
Crude oil prices dropped below $64 a barrel Monday, as traders took profits from last week's surging prices and focused on warm weather in the United States, which is dampening demand for heating oil.

Sorghum could help N.M. farmers cut water use
CLOVIS, N.M. - A New Mexico State University researcher is trying to help grain farmers and dairies in eastern New Mexico while at the same time reducing the amount of water that goes to irrigation.

AmeriDebt founder settles with FTC
GREENBELT, MD. - The founder of the credit counseling firm AmeriDebt on Monday agreed to pay $35 million to settle suits filed by regulators and former customers over $172 million in allegedly hidden fees the company collected from financially strapped debtors.

'Horns repeat rests with the young
AUSTIN - Texas fans were still celebrating their first national championship in 36 years when Vince Young dimmed their hopes of a repeat.

NFL calling
AUSTIN - Texas quarterback Vince Young, a junior who led the Longhorns to the national championship in the Rose Bowl, announced Sunday afternoon he will forego his final season of college eligibility and enter the 2006 NFL draft.

Randall County District Courts
Nolan Ty Buchanan. Two charges. Judgment to revoke probation. Possession of a controlled substance, less than 1 gram. Punishment assessed four years probation and costs. Judgment. Driving while intoxicated, third or more offenses. Punishment assessed four years probation, $500 fine and costs.

Heloise: Families need time to think
My dad died, and people are shopping for items they could use just as if his home were a grocery store. Have some feeling for the family. Dont rush the family into deciding that the TV or the rocking chair is exactly what someone wants or needs.

Rock & Wrap
Beware: Parched skin alert. With Amarillo in the throes of one of the longest droughts in decades, skin care experts warn people to take action.

Second, and still surging
For three periods Sunday, the Amarillo Gorillas consistently won physical battles on the boards down low to capture a 4-2 Central Hockey League victory against Southwest Division-leading Odessa in front of 2,117 in Cal Farley Coliseum.

Gorillas' Hahn honored again
Amarillo Gorillas center Derek Hahn earned his third Central Hockey League honor in three weeks Monday, being named CHL player of the week.

Rivalry highlights mat slate
Rivalry highlights mat slateOne of the fiercest city rivalries in any sport will add another chapter tonight when the Palo Duro boys and girls wrestling teams play host to Caprock, with the girls' dual starting at 6 p.m.

Lynxettes rolling along
The Spearman Lynxettes gave themselves a nice holiday present when they snapped two-time defending District 7-2A champion Canadian's long winning streak just before Christmas.

Athlete of the Week: Tori Skarke, Claude
The 5-foot-10 sophmore post scored 23 points in a win over Wheeler to close nondistrict play on Tuesday and 29 in a 60-27 district 2-1A Division I-opening win over Shamrock on Friday, running Claude's record to 16-6 overall.

Athlete of the Week: Drew Cox, Randall
Wrestling in the 180-pound weight division, the senior went 8-0 at the Hereford Rumble, leading Randall to a team title on the strength of a 39-33 win over Caprock in the championship dual.

Sports On The Air
Times and telecasts provided by TV and radio stations are subject to change. Only live events listed.

It's All Trew: Canning remains popular throughout time
Evidently, Old Mother Nature had been peeking into our freezer and cellar to check our fruit and jelly supply. We were out of fresh frozen peaches and apricots and are running low on pear preserves. We still had a supply of wild plum and grape jelly.

Letters To The Editor
I have a difference of opinion with Sports Editor Jon Mark Beilue (Jan. 5 column) regarding bowl games vs. the playoff system.

Guest Column: Texas' Concealed Handgun Law - 10 years later
AUSTIN - When the Texas Concealed Handgun Law took effect in 1996, pundits and naysayers predicted anarchy. Any minute, there surely would be mass violence as armed Texas citizens began roving the streets, settling arguments with gunfire.

Monday Briefing
It seems the V-22 Osprey is catching on, and that's good for Amarillo. The Department of the Navy awarded a lucrative $37.4 million contract last week for a variation of the Osprey called the CV-22.

Sagan: Performing in pageant a paramount privilege
Last month I had the rare pleasure of being part of Paramount Terrace Christian Church's 2005 Christmas Pageant, "Treasure." I played the part of Eli, one of the original shepherds in the story of the birth of Christ, who is now a grandfather and tells the story to his granddaughter, Hannah. Each vignette between Eli and Hannah was matched with a telling of another part of the story, either through acting or song.

Editorial: Hold court on judging judges
Samuel Alito's journey to the U.S. Supreme Court took an important step Monday when he began several days of hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.

WT luncheon today
The West Texas A&M Buffalo Sports Luncheon will be held today at noon at the Holiday Inn-Amarillo at Interstate 40 East and Ross.